Channel Islands Fishbeard Surfboard Review: fad or here to stay? Watch This Before You Buy!

[@steve-g-]

Just found your channel. This is great. I think the debate style format is what surfboard reviews needed! Because otherwise they always end up without any negative critiques or solid conclusions. It’s always “well, this groveler can surf 1ft so well, but yeah it could also work at Pipe.”

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Thanks Stefan! Ain’t nothing like finding the right surfboard, hopefully the experience from a few over-the-hill surf dads helps! 🤙🏼

[@Migpires]

I’m addicted to this board. My normal HPSB is an I72 with 28L. I found a good deal for a new fishbeard in spinetek 5,9 30,2L. First toughts was… maybe this is too much volume for me (1,80m 68kg), but man this is a true HP twinnie, easy to surf and she delivers speed AF. The single concave to flat tail makes magic. Easy to put on rail and complete turns. For those who are afraid to go up on volume (max 2L above your HPSB) don’t hesitate. Riding the AMK KEELS. I got a new love😂

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Yes Brother #1 loved the FB also!! 🙌🏼 we agree with your assessment, volume is your friend in this setup!

[@craigduplooy6249]

I am 6.2" and I bought the 6.2" PU which is about 3 litres more than I normally run and I found it to be amazing. It has been super fast, loose and no problem going vertical!

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Fortune favors the brave - crypto Matt Damon Brave choice to go 3 liters up but looks like that worked out! Curious what you were riding before this?

[@craigduplooy6249]

@@greenroomsurfreviews I have a 6.2” CI Black & White I use in good surf at 34 litres and I had a 5.10” PodMod at about 35 litres I loved but gave it to my brother which is why I bought the FishBeard.

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Bringing back some classics! We loved the B&W for bigger surf, it was tough to beat when the conditions were good. The PodMod life is real and it sits in our 1/3 of our garages even today. And sounds like you’re part of the CI rewards program too 😂💰 hopefully we see you shreddin’ out in the water 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@luizs.f5305]

Great review! You guys need to try this board with different sets of fins, I've tuned mine with Britt Merrick (semi-keel) fins for most days, and only use the AM Keels when waves go off head high. I'm truly in love with with this board with the BM fins to the point that it has become my daily driver.

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Thanks @luizs.f5305 we’ll give it to try! 🙌🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Brahhhh, I wish I had discovered this tip a year ago hahaha. I already sold my board but the good news is that Andrew has his. Could be a game changer for me. Unfortunately, I don’t think Dan will be trying it anytime soon 😂

[@sambowks]

You got to put your back foot right across the pins to bottom turn. Definitely no traction pads on something with a tail like that

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Sam! You are mostly correct. I should skip the pad but unfortunately, I have adapted (devolved?) into strictly surfing with one 🤷🏻‍♂️ All things considered, me slipping off a pad-less board probably looks the same as my “fins free” frontside hack. Now I’m questioning all my surf decisions…

[@adam_hr8231]

I ordered mine as a custom. mine is a 5’9” with the dims of a 5’10”. So it’s a tad wider and a tad thicker than the stock option, It’s about 32 liters. For context I’m 6’ 170lbs. I’m pretty stoked on the board with this set up.

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Nice Adam!! Sounds like you have a rad setup. Did you go with PU or spine-tek? How’s it been at your local break?

[@adam_hr8231]

@@greenroomsurfreviews I ordered it with Varial foam and epoxy 👌

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

That’s rad!!!! What’s the wait time? Can’t wait to hear how the varial is!

[@adam_hr8231]

@@greenroomsurfreviews I ordered it through Varial and I think it was 10 week wait. Not to bad considering. I would definitely order from them again.

[@jtrealfunny]

I had it in my head that swallow tails made a board longer because they extend the rail line, twin pins, and that one could imagine the board with a rounded tail so a 5'6 fish with a 13 inch swallow would surf more like that same board with a rounded tail extended past the swallow, 4-6 more inches depending. You guys experienced the opposite. I hope you mention this, I'm only 4 minutes in.

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Hey Jamey! Not sure if we covered this in detail, but it did lead to a dimensions change. I was originally on the 5’6 and have since switched to a 5’7. For what it’s worth, the fishbeard is still my daily driver! Let me know if you have any questions 👊🏼

[@jtrealfunny]

@@greenroomsurfreviews Your format is cool and the board advice I find isn't that helpful. I'm working my way down in size and wanting to make better waves, take off from the peak, and I've tried a lot of board other than shortboards thinking they would help me more to progress. By chance I got to ride a Rusty Traveller in a pretty good volume for me and I feel like it does all the most important things, paddle, catch waves (and get going), hold in and fit in, and is better at helping learn to use my rails. Now if someone was trying to progress their surfing and wanted board advice I'd tell them to just get a really basic simple shortboard with enough stability and volume because that's the thing where they've worked out all the little trade offs to get something really functional. Also, surfboards are so trendy, at least from what I see online, jaja. Thanks for the cool content.

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Let us know if we can help with the journey - otherwise, enjoy the learning curve (growth mindset!) and see you out in the water 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@damiencollins8124]

I’d have to agree with the neutral to rear foot surer. Was my first dabble into twinnies & absolutely love the thing, works really well for me. So fast and fun, on small days as it’s a paddle monster. I chopped the kick off complete only my tail pad so my back foot can actually sit over a bit of the swallow. How’s it compare to the NB2 for padding? Or even the NB3 or halt every day if you’ve surfed either.

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Hey Damien! Great question. Ok, check this out, the NB2 and 3 are the same board but a different tail, AND the top half of the FishBeard is actually the NB2 (minus a smidge of volume). Between the three of of us, we’ve spent some time on each and the paddle experience has been pretty much the same across all three of those boards, #paddlemonster. As for the Happy Everyday, we are currently testing that now. From our experience so far, it’s a high performance shortboard in all aspects…including paddling. We like the HE in surf with a bit more push, which also makes the paddling a bit easier 🤙🏼 Thanks for the comment and let us know if you have any other questions!

[@damiencollins8124]

@@greenroomsurfreviews cheers legends, looking for a board to fill the gap between the fish beard & my Two Happy, which I love in pumping surf on. Im always catching the nose riding out of airs on the FB, as well as in 2ft really sucky beachies the waves are so cuppy in the pocket it’s hard to really lean into a turn without losing the fins. Sounds like maybe the HE could be a goer? Looking forward to the reviews anyway.

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Yeah sounds like an in-between shorty wouldn’t be a bad idea. It also sounds like you’re shredding way harder than these three dads over here 👉🏼👴🏼👨🏻🧔🏻‍♂️👈🏼😂 next time give us hoot and we’ll give you the set 🤙🏼

[@damiencollins8124]

@@greenroomsurfreviews haha nah you boys all shred! Ideal world you’d just have em all, lol. The spine-tek’s are such poppy boards but!

[@amitjosephaj]

Hi guys, such a refreshing, down to earth fantastic review. thanks! I didn't notice your take on wave catching ability... how do you think is it going to paddle into weak and mushy waves compared to a more fishy out line or compared to a small wave shortboard such as the CI Sampler or Pyzel Phantom or a happy everyday etc....

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Awe shucks, thanks - you sure you watched our video? 😂 Ok great question! We’d say 10-15% better than the HE. But if we’re being honest, with our average surf dad arms, the struggle is real on everything except a foamie 😂 if you’re exclusively surfing poor mushy waves, have a look at the Pod Mod or G-Skate. FB will still be a ton of fun but those models will maximize the stoke for every session 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@Surfhacks]

Fishbeard is by far the best and most fun surfboard I have ever used in 24 years of surfing. Use the rail to find the drive and you're good!

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Yes Luis, I couldn’t agree more!! There’s something about the combo of rail and tail that makes it special 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼 - Andrew

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

I’m going to need a tutorial Luis! I gave up on my fishbeard quest and found a new love in the R.W. You and Andrew can shred into the sunset on those big bad tails! -Stephen

[@Surfhacks]

​@@greenroomsurfreviews no tutorial needed, Stephen. I know better than me that different surfboards suit different surfers and it's good. Actually, this is what makes surfing even more fun, this way we can try and use dozens of different boards :-) I am happy you've found your new love R.W.

[@FluffyAlpaca81]

Just discovered you guys. Love the way you do your reviews. Very informative. Pls review more popular boards !

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Hey Y L! Thanks for checking out the video and appreciate the feedback 🤙🏼 Currently, we’re testing the Happy Everyday but after that…? Any board in particular you’d like to see?

[@FluffyAlpaca81]

@@greenroomsurfreviews would love to see you guys review one from CIS “hybrid” line of grovelers. Those shapes seem more suitable for average surfers still working on a more high performance style of surfing in average to subpar conditions. Perhaps something like the “ultra joe”? CIS says the board is for 1-4ft. I’m wondering if it could be a good everyday board for a progressing surfer up to head high beach break. Thanks and looking forward to watching more reviews!

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Yewwww!! 🤙🏼 The UJ is a model we’ve been scoping out for a bit now. We’ll try to put something together 👊🏼 just curious, what are you on right now? Happy to make a recommendation in the meantime

[@FluffyAlpaca81]

@@greenroomsurfreviews I actually have a NB2 in PU but like your review found it not “very smooth” and also not the best at groveling when it’s 1-3ft mushy beach breaks. And if I’m being honest I think the NB2 is also probably a bit more advanced for me bc it doesn’t feel very forgiving either (I,e, my feet have to be in the right spots to make it go). It also didn’t feel drivey to me but that could just be I’m not good enough to maximize its full potential. Looking at the outline of UJ it looks easier to paddle and get into waves and faster. I also have a performance shape mid 7’0 thruster for the bigger days that I really love but in 1-5ft mushy surf it feels sluggish and not as loose or whippy as I like. So I guess I’m looking for a shortboard groveler for 1-4ft that an average intermediate surfer can actually maximize its utility on but also help progress my technique on fundamental maneuvers like snaps cutbacks floaters etc. not trying to do airs or anything too radical. Just the basics but wanna get them right, improve my style hehehe

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Dang! Looks like you’re well on your way! Yeah the NB2 is awesome in the right conditions, but how often does Mother Nature cooperate?! 😂 Jealous of the Mid, they are definitely all the rage right now, we just haven’t had the opportunity to get one under our feet! You’re right on with the UJ and to be honest, it sounds like a great fit. Something else to think about (maybe after you take the UJ for a couple laps), we LOVE the Pod Mod. Lots of paddle power and still allows for performance (we will have a review on it soon!). It’s a board we keep around to make the most of the mushy stuff and small summer conditions. Could be something to look at once the UJ runs it’s course! 🤙🏼

[@kookpatrol7490]

Was that a Morro bay surf cam!?

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

😂🫣 Good eye! Jus don’t tell anyone where our local is 👊🏼 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@kookpatrol7490]

@@greenroomsurfreviews shoot 🫨 This was the first vid I saw from Your channel, great content. I’ll probably see y’all in the line ups eventually 🤙

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

@@kookpatrol7490 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼 we’ll look for you in the lineup 👊🏼

[@ThomyeSurfs]

great format. Appreciate the content. Keep it up please guys. :) hopefully you guys keep buying the same boards to keep this sort of review going. haha. Most of my friends surf totally different boards. :( 🤙

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Yewww! Thanks for the shoutout Thomye. It just so happens we are testing a couple CIs at the moment, curious if you’re looking for anything in particular? Let us know! 🤙🏼

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@greenroomsurfreviews nothing particular. just cools to see three guys try the same board and then comment about it. that is a fresh new perspective. :) cheers guys.

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Yeww 🤙🏼 thanks Thomye! See you out in the water!